Receptacle



P 1943- .1. J. HAMLIN 2,329,758

RECEPTACLE Filed Nov. 20, 1940 2 Sfieets-Shegt 1 a 1 2a 25 7011 a 2 F2 7777.5 IBYeMFQ /MW ATTORNEYS Sept. 21, 1943. J. J. HAMLIN 2,329,758

RECEPTACLE Filed Nov. 20, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l0 l//Z Z 0 l iii/a5 INVENTOR.

Patented Sept. 21, 1943 Jerome J. Hamlin, South Haven, Mich., assignor to Herbert;Wilkinson, SouthHavendWich.

I Application Nove'inberlZO, 1940 Serial No. 366,345

Q CIaims. (Cl. 217-40) This invention relates to improvements in receptacles;

Fruits and vegetables are now quite largely shipped in baskets and these, particularly the larger sizessuch as bushel and half-bushel, are

commonly round in horizontal dimensions. The

result is that much space is lost in transporta tion and storage as compared to the transporta-j tion and storage of such products in rectangular receptacles.

- The main'objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a receptacle or container which is well adapted for use in the handling of fruits and vegetables, including the packing,

storage, and shipment thereof.

such as cellular board or container board, at the same time they are supported so that they are not likely to be ruptured or damaged-in theuse of the receptacle.

Third, to provide an improved structureand means for securing the end portions of the receptacle greatly facilitating the attachment and releasing thereof and permitting effective packing of the contents.

Fourth, to provide a structure having these advantages which is quite economical and at thev same time strong and rigid.

Fifth, to provide a structure in which the wall panels may be renewed should they become'soiled.

or damaged. I

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined'and pointed out:

in the claims.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in

which: i i

fFig. 1 is a perspective View of a structure embodying the features of my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary section mainly in vertical section on line 2-2 of Fig.3.

'Fig. 3 is a top plan View, parts being partially broken away to more fully show the structure.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary View in sec tion on line 44 of Fig. 3 showing the end closure retaining member inengaged position by full lines and illustrating by dotted lines a stepinthe engagement and disengagement thereof. Fig. is an enlarged fragmentaryview illustrating one of the end members partially released and tilted for providing access to the contents.

1. Fig. Gisa side view of one of the end closure "Second, to provide a structurev in which the wall panels may be formed of fibrous material retaining members,v the".'springable character thereof being indicated by dotted lines.

Fig.7 is anfenlargedperspective View of one of the closure end members. f

Fig. 8 is a fragmentarysection showing further details of the'relation of the wall panels to the,

frame.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of a preferred form'of side Wall unit in its extended position.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary'view illustrating a modified form of frame, the modification'being particularly in the joining of the parts.

Fig; 11 is a fragmentary plan view showing,

another ,joint for the frame parts. I 1 I Referring to the accompanying drawings, I provide a frame formed of suitable wood stock and comprising corner membe'rsl and sidepieces 2, ,2, 3, 3, ,4, '4- and 5 extending between and suitably joined to the corner members as by means of dowels or tenons indicated at 6 in Fig. 4. It will be understood, however,tha't the pieces constituting the frame may be '1' oined by means of dovetailed tenons l and mortices 8, asshown in Fig.

or bymeansjof fastener members a as shown in Fig. 11. It is to be noted that the members 4, 4 and 5 are intermediatethe members 2, 2, and

3, 3, respctivelyQand the numberof the inter mediate members may be as desired. However,

the structure illustrated is sufiiciently strong and i rigid for ordinary purposes. It will be appreciated that the number of crosspieces and the weight of material would be gaugedby thesize of the receptacle. i

. Thecrosspiecesj larearranged substantially flush with the ends of the corner members while.

the crosspieces, 3, 3 are arranged in aspaced relation to the ends of thecorner members providing recesses receiving endclosure 'members designated generally by the numeral l0. These end closure members comprise cro'sspieces H and "The crosspieces H of the end closure members have longitudinal grooves l3therein while the corner members havegrooves M in their ends' aligned with the grooves I3, and grooves J5 in their sides aligned with these grooves l3 and I4.

h It will be noted by a referenceto the drawings that the closure members fit within the uprights andrest upon the frame side pieces 3; The structure illustrated is provided with a closure at each end.---

lflhefclosure members are detachably retained" by'means; of the bail-likegretaining' members 16, thebights of whichare' arranged in'the grooves 13 in the members I l and in the aligned grooves M in the ends of the crosspieces with their arms I! in the grooves I5 in the sides of the side members. The arms I! terminate in inwardly projecting lugs l8 engaging holes IS in the uprights, and when the lugs are so engaged, the end members are very securely retained and capable of withstanding such load as may be imposed upon them when the receptacle is filled or in the handlingof the receptacles.

These end closure retaining members are formed of spring wire stock so that they may be sprung outwardly as indicated in Fig. 4 for engagement and disengagement and when engaged are eiiectively retained.

In the embodiment illustrated, the side wall" panels 20, and 2|, 2| are preferably formed as a unit and of fibrous material such, for example, as cellular board. These wall panels are disposed in alignment and flexibly connectedby.

scorings as indicated at 22.

It will be noted that the wall panels are of somewhat greater vertical width than thefpane'ls 2Iso that when the unit is placed withinthe supporting frame the edge portions 23 of "the panels 20 overlap or are'in lapping supporting relation to the framemembers 2. Owing to the inset of the frame members 3, the edges'24 of the panels 21' overlap or are "in lapping supporting relation to the members 3.

' The end wall panels 25 are arranged in supported relation to the end closure membersthatis, they are arrangedon' the inner side thereof and they are disposed within the side wall panels so that'their edges are in supported engagement thereWith- -that is, they'hold the side walls'extended.

The receptacle is well adapted'for the packing of fruits and vegetables and in packing one end closure member may be applied and if desired thecorresponding end panel 25 inserted; The facing of fruit or other product packed may then be arranged, the receptacle filled, and the other end paneland end closure member'ap-' plied. -The receptacle-may then beinvertiid when it -is-desired to expose the faced contents, the end panel at the face side'of course being then removed. This may be'very conveniently done-owing to'the ease with which the end closuremembers are secured or'released.

The-wall panels are effectively supported and protected by this frame." It'will be understood that it is not necessary to use the'end panels '25 unless that is desired, and for certain contents the wallpanels should have'ventilating holes as 26 therein. I

The side slats of theen'd receptacles are spaced from the members 2 so as to receive the edges 23*of thewall panels 20 and'this further serves as a supporting meanstherefor.

I have illustrated and described my improvements in embodiments which I consider very practical. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations as it is believed that this disclosure will enable 1.1m a'recepta cle, the combination or a frame comprising corner members and side pieces extending between and fixedly securedto said corner members, the side pieces of one opposedpair.

of side walls being disposed substantially flush with the ends of the corner members and the side pieces of the other pair of opposed side walls being disposed in substantially spaced relation to the ends of the corner members providing end closure member receiving recesses, end closure members comprising cross-pieces and slats extending therebetween, said crosspieces being adapted to be received within said recesses and having longitudinal grooves in their outer faces, the corner members having grooves in their ends and their outer sides aligned with the grooves of said end closure crosspieces, baillike end closure retaining members of springable'material disposed with their bight ends in 'saidvgrooves in said end closure crosspieces and J engaging the grooves of the ends of the corner members and with their arms engaging the grooves in the sides of the corner members, the

the inset frame side pieces, the outer slate of the end closure members being spaced from adjacent side pieces 'to receive the wall panels between them, and' an end panel of fibrous mate rial arranged withinsaid side wall panels in supported relation'fto one of the end closure membersand with its edges in supporting rela tion to the side wallpanels.

2. In a -receptaclefthe combination of a frame comprisingcorner members and side pieces extending between and fixedly secured to said corner members, the side pieces of one opposedpair of side panels being disposed substantially flush withthe ends of the corner members and the side pieces of theother pairof opposed side walls being disposed in substantially spaced relation to the ends of the corner members providing end closure member receiving recesses, end closure members comprlsing'crosspieces and slats extend longitudinal grooves in theirends and their outer' sides aligned with the grooves of said end closure crosspieces, bail-like end closure retaining members ofispringable material disposed with their bight :ends in said grooves in said end closure crosspieces and engaging the grooves of the ends of the corner members and with their arms engaging the grooves in the sides of the corner members, the arms of said retaining members havinginturned lugs engageable in holes in said corner members'the arms being springable torelease the retaining'members, and a wall .unit of fibrous:materia1 disposed within said frame and comprising aligned flexibly connected wall panels, one opposed pairoflsaid wall panels'being in lapping supported-relation to'the inner-sides of the frame side'pieces disposed flush with the ends of the corner. members and the other opposed pair of wall panels being inlapping supported relation with the inset frame side pieces, the outer slats of the endrclosure members being spaced from adjacent side pieces 'to, receive the wall panels between them. v

3. In a' receptacle, the combination of a frame comprising corner members and side pieces ,extending between' and fixedly secured to said'corner members,'the side DieC -$;Of oneopposedpair of sidewalls being disposed substantially,fiush with the ends of the corner members and the sidepieces of the other pair of opposed side walls being disposed in substantially spaced relation to the ends of the corner, members; providing end closure member receiving recesses, endflclosllre members comprising crosspieces and slats extend; ing therebetween, said crosspieces being'adapted to; be received within said recesses and having longitudinal grooves in their: outer-facesgthe corner members having, grooves in their ends and their. outer sides :alignedwitn, thegrooves of said end closure crosspiecesand bail dike end closure retaining members of springable material disposed with their big-ht ends in said grooves in said end closure crosspieces and engaging the grooves of the ends'of the corner members and with their arms engaging the grooves in the sides of the corner members, the arms of said retaining members having inturned lugs engageable in holes in said corner members, the arms being springable to release the retaining members.

4. In a receptacle, the combination of a frame comprising corner members and side pieces extending between and fixedly secured to said corner members, the side pieces of one opposed pair of side walls being disposed substantially flush 1 within said sidewall panelsain supportedrelawith the ends of the corner members and the side pieces of the other pair of opposed side walls being disposed in substantially spaced relation to the ends of the corner members providing end closure member receiving recesses, end closure members comprising crosspieces and slats extending therebetween, said crosspieces being adapted to be received within said recesses, end closure retaining members engaging said end closure crosspieces and releasably engageable with said corner members, a wall unit of fibrous material disposed within said frame and comprising aligned flexibly connected wall panels, one opposed pair of said wall panels being in lapping supported relation to the inner sides of the frame side pieces disposed flush with the ends of the corner members and the other opposed pair of wall panels being in lapping supported relation with the inset frame side pieces, the outer slats of the end closure members being spaced from adjacent side pieces to receive the wall panels between them,

and an end panel of fibrous material arranged within said side wall panels in supported relation to one of the end closure members and with its edges in supporting relation to the side wall panels.

5. In a receptacle, the combination of a frame comprising corner members and side pieces extending between and fixedly secured to said corner members, the side pieces of one opposed pair of side walls being disposed substantially flush with the ends of the corner members and the side pieces of the other pair of opposed side walls being disposed in substantially spaced relation to the ends of the corner members providing end closure member receiving recesses, end closure members comprising crosspieces adapted to be received within said recesses and having longitudinal grooves in their outer faces, the corner members having grooves in their ends aligned with the grooves of said end closure crosspieces, bail-like end closure retaining members of springable material disposed with their bight ends in said grooves in said end closure crosspieces and engaging the grooves of the ends of the corner ion to one of theend closure members and with its edges in supporting relation to the side wall panels,

6; In a receptacle, the combination of'a'frame comprising corner members and side pieces extending between and fixedly secured to said corner members the side pieces of one opposed pair of side walls being disposed substantially flush with the ends of the corner members and the side pieces of the other pair of opposed side walls being disposed in substantially spaced relation to the ends of the corner members providing end closure member receiving recesses, end closure members comprising crosspieces adapted to be received within said recesses and having longitudinal grooves in their ends aligned with the grooves of said end closure crosspieces, bail-like end closure retaining members of springable material disposed with their bight ends in said grooves in said end closure crosspieces and engaging the grooves of the ends of the corner members, the arms of ,said retaining members having inturned lugs engageable in holes in said corner members, the arms being springable to release the retaining members, and wall panels, one opposed pair of said wall panels being in lapping supported relation to the inner sides of the frame side pieces disposed flush with the ends of the corner members and the other opposed pair of wall panels being in lapping supported relation with the inset frame side pieces, the outer slats of the end closure members being spaced from adjacent side pieces to receive the wall panels between them.

7. In a receptacle, the combination of a frame comprising corner members and side pieces extending between and fixedly secured to said corner members, the side pieces of one opposed pair of side walls being disposed substantially flush with the ends of the corner members and the side pieces of the other pair of opposed side walls being disposed in substantially spaced relation to the ends of the corner members providing end closure member receiving recesses, end closure members comprising crosspieces adapted to be received within said recesses and having longitudinal grooves in their outer faces, the corner members having grooves in their ends aligned with the grooves of said end closure crosspieces, and bail-like end closure retaining members of springable material disposed with their bight ends in said grooves in said end closure crosspieces and engaging the grooves of the ends of the corner members, the arms of said retaining members having inturned lugs engageable in holes in said corner members, the arms being springable to release the retaining members,

8. In a receptacle, the combination of a frame comprising corner members and side pieces extending between the corner members, one opposed pair of side pieces being disposed in spaced relation to the ends of ':the corner members providing a adlosure receiving recess between-ithem, an :end closure "member comprising end crosspieces adapted to :be received within said recesses and having longitudinal grooves in their outer iaces, the corner members having grooves at :tnerr ends iamd rheir miter sides aligned said grooves in said end closure erosspi eees, and bail-mike end closure metainmg mnembe rsoi springab'le mateifial disposed with their bights in said grooves in said end closure 'crosspieces and en gaging the grooves at the ends of the corner members and with their arms engaging -'b'he grooves in the sides of the corner members, the arms of he retaining members having inflamed lugs engageable in holes 1 in said oor-ner members, and the arms being springable to release the retaining members. i i 1 9. mo :azreceptaole, the combination of a frame comprising comer members and side pieces -extending between the-comer members, one opposed poi-r ot side :pieoes being disposed in spaced relation to theends of =he corner members providing a "closure receiving recess between them. amen-d olosure member comprising end crosspieces magined so be received within said weeess'es and having iongitudinal grooves in ii-heir outer racas, the corner members having grooves at their ends, and bail-like end closure retaining members of springab'le maten'al disposed witih theirbights in said grooves in said end closure erossp'ieo'es and engaging the grooves at the'ends of the corner memb'e'rs, Ghe arms of the reta'im ing'memb'ers having'in'rurned lugsengagaable in holes in said c'orner members.

r JEROME 5. 

